Shloka 3.64.53
गोदावरीतटे सीतान्वेषणम् — The Search for Sītā at the Godāvarī
भक्षितायां हि वैदेह्यां हृतायामपि लक्ष्मण।।।।के हि लोके प्रियं कर्तुं शक्तास्सौम्य ममेश्वराः।
bhakṣitāyāṃ hi vaidehyāṃ hṛtāyām api lakṣmaṇa | ke hi loke priyaṃ kartuṃ śaktāḥ saumya mameśvarāḥ ||
If Vaidehī has been devoured—or even if she has merely been carried off—then, Lakṣmaṇa, gentle one, who in this world, even among the gods, could make happiness possible for me?
If Sita has been devoured or kidnapped, none in this world or even gods could do anything to make me happy, O handsome Lakshmana !
Marital fidelity and responsibility are treated as dharma: Sītā’s loss would render all worldly consolations meaningless, underscoring the sanctity of the spousal bond.
Rāma voices despair that no power—human or divine—can restore his happiness if Sītā is harmed or abducted.
Single-minded devotion and emotional truthfulness (he does not mask grief).